From the region

Saturday

Mar 30, 2013 at 12:20 AM

EAST BROOKFIELD — A Lynn man arrested in Sturbridge last year after state police found 60 OxyContin pills and more than $10,000 in cash in the dashboard of his vehicle must surrender the vehicle he was riding in and the money to the state.

Noel S. Cruz, 33, of Witt St., Lynn was found guilty of a reduced charge of possession of a Class B substance and sentenced to serve 30 days of a 1-year sentence, with the balance suspended for one year.

In Western Worcester District Court in East Brookfield Friday, he was also ordered to forfeit the Dodge Durango, which he told state police Sgt. James Bazzinotti he had borrowed from a friend. The vehicle had a paper license plate and was one day past the expiration date, which drew the sergeant’s attention and caused him to stop the SUV on Interstate 84 July 16.

A second man was driving, according to court documents.

The vehicle was towed, and state police later found the pills, $10,772 in cash and a cellular telephone with Mr. Cruz’s photo on it inside after Sgt. Bazzinotti noticed the dashboard appeared to have been altered. Mr. Cruz was arrested when he returned to the Sturbridge state police barracks asking to retrieve some items from the Durango the same day.

Those streets will be swept beginning at 11:30 p.m. and ending Tuesday at 7:30 a.m.

Sweepers cannot pick up brush, branches or yard waste. Those items may be taken to yard waste sites at Clark Street at East Mountain Street, Chandler Street opposite Foley Stadium and 1065 Millbury St. (formerly Ballard Street). The yard waste sites are open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The Millbury Street site is also open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Yellow signs will be posted on trees, fences and poles before streets are swept. Residents are reminded to sweep sidewalk debris into the street. Parked vehicles interfering with sweeping operations will be ticketed $50 and will be towed.

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